The National League for Democracy (NLD) in Myanmar, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won 43 of 45 parliamentary seats in Apr. 1 by-elections, according to the final official result announced by the Union Election Commission on Apr. 3.

The NLD took 37 seats in the House of Representatives, four seats in the House of Nationalities and four regional seats in the state parliament.

Aung San Suu Kyi was elected a member of House of Representatives for the first time, winning over 85 percent of the votes in constituencies in Yangon region.

Even though the NLD won most of the seats in by-elections, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) still holds about 80 percent of seats in parliament.

These first by-elections under the new civil government were described as transparent and fair by over 150 international observers from ASEAN and Myanmar ’s dialogue partners.

On the sidelines of the 20 th ASEAN Summit in Cambodia, Myanmar President U Thein Sein stated that the parliamentary by-elections were sucessful.

Later the same day, i n a statement issued by the ASEAN Secretariat, the ASEAN Chair, Cambodian PM Hun Sen, called for an end to economic sanctions against Myanmar .

Cambodia 's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said ASEAN urged the international community to consider lifting economic sanctions on Myanmar so that its people can enjoy better opportunities and realise their aspirations for peace, national reconciliation, democracy and national development.

He said the election process was a positive step forward towards democracy.-VNA